– Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was taken into custody by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security officer in Studio City, California, this past Wednesday. The announcement was made via social media on X.
The 39-year-old Chavez is the son of the famous boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. DHS indicated that Chavez is now facing quick removal proceedings due to legal and immigration complications, including a DUI conviction from 2012 and a federal weapons conviction that is scheduled for 2024.
Chavez recently went up against Jake Paul at the Honda Center in Anaheim. As of Thursday afternoon, he had not made any public comments about his arrest on his social media accounts.
The department’s statement emphasized that under President Trump, no one, not even well-known athletes, is above the law. They aimed a clear warning at U.S. cartel affiliates, asserting that they will be held accountable and that the days of unchecked cartel violence are over.
According to DHS, Chavez entered the U.S. on a B2 tourist visa in August 2023 and applied for legal permanent residency in April 2024, claiming it was based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen.
However, authorities contend that his application includes fraudulent details, alleging that his spouse had prior ties to the Sinaloa cartel through an earlier relationship. DHS maintains that Chavez has connections to the cartel and is reportedly wanted in Mexico for various crimes related to arms trafficking and organized crime.
Federal agents classified Chavez as a priority for removal as of June 27. Deputy Director Tricia McLaughlin expressed disbelief that the previous administration flagged him as a public safety threat but didn’t act on his removal, allowing him to travel freely.
Chavez’s arrest coincides with the rollout of President Trump’s expansive deportation policy in Southern California, which frequently targets communities for their immigration status, particularly in workplaces and public spaces.
The Department of Homeland Security claims that their enforcement initiatives are designed to be highly focused on individuals with criminal histories living in the U.S. It is estimated that there were hundreds of arrests as of early July. Additionally, the department reports a significant rise in assaults against its enforcement officers.
